The author, Bruce Smith, is a world-renowned fashion photographer who has built his career over the last thirty years. Smith is also a teacher who offers master classes, workshops, and teaches fashion photography. This book is a manual for the budding fashion photographer. It offers everything from suggested equipment, how to work with staff, clients and models and of course how to make quality images. Smith’s experience in teaching helps create user friendly explanations to equipment and techniques. This book also makes for a fascinating look into the highly regarded world of glamour.

Text: A+
Layout: A+
Photography: A+
User: Beginning to Intermediate Photographers
(Reviewed by EP - Feb. 2008) 

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by Dane Sanders

Reviewed by Elizabeth Powis (EAP) August 2011

 

This book is a large hard-back with full-page, color images of exactly what the title suggests: female body builders. There is no text with the images, just the portrait of an oiled, flexed, primped woman showing her unique obsession to body image. Some of the images are so intense, that the viewer questions the likelihood that the head and body are from the same person. Photographer Martin Schoeller has done an amazing job of portraying the reality of these people. Shot in front of a white background, these women stand proud and confident to show their life’s work to gain this image. Included in the back of the book are short biographies about the name, sometimes age, nationality, awards, and quotes from these individuals. Although these images can conjure up mixed emotions and opinions, the fact that most viewers cannot put the book down until they have seen every image is a compliment to the photographer. Whether seen as a documentary on a small group of people or an artistic view of human reality, this is a book of photography.

Text: A
Layout: A+
Photography: A++
User: All Photographers and Non-Photographers
(Reviewed by EP Nov. 2008)

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The Figure in Motion,
by Thomas Easley

For any photographer and artist who needs new ideas for working with the nude form, The Figure in Motion  will give you that. It is a 175 page, soft cover book of nothing but figure studies on every page, that you can use in your own work, and retails for just $19.95 from www.watsonguptill.com   It has many ideas that would work great in outdoor locations.                  
I Rate it:  B+
(Reviewed Dec. 2004)

 

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Fields of Vision Series

The Photographs of Gordon Parks
Introduction by Charles Johnson

The Photographs of Carl Mydans
Introduction by Annie Proulx

The Photographs of Arthur Rothstein
Introduction by George Packer

Three new books from the series Fields of Vision published by The Library of Congress. They are individual collections of great American photographers who were employed by the Farm Security Administration (FSA), later called the Office of War Information (OWI). Each book features fifty images from a particular photographer with a detailed biography. These photographers were able to honestly capture the life experience of many Americans during the 1930s and 1940s.

The images of Gordon Parks often document the African American community, as well as women of the time. His style seemed to be that of getting the individual within their natural environment, but aware of him as the photographer. The subjects are often posing and smiling, a way of showing their pride in their fairly comfortable situations.

Photographer Carl Mydans spent more time focusing on the setting he was documenting, which sometimes had people in it. These images are often of desperate and struggling situations, an important part of understanding American life during that time period.

Arthur Rothstein photographed landscapes and cityscapes as well as people. His images of people are often groups of people that communicate the community’s culture and experiences of the time. A variety of ethnicities and socio-economic statuses are displayed in all of these books. The consistency is that of documenting American life at the time.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Powis (EAP) August 2011
 

The Photographs of Esther Bubley
Introduction by Melissa Fay Greene

The Photographs of Jack Delano
Introduction by Esmeralda Santiago

The Photographs of John Vachon
Introduction by Kurt Andersen

These are three books from the series Fields of Vision published by The Library of Congress. They are individual collections of great American photographers who were employed by the Farm Security Adminsistration (FSA), later called the Office of War Information (OWI). Each book features fifty images from a particular photographer with a detailed biography. These photographers were able to honestly capture the life experience of many Americans during the 1930s and 1940s. The images of Esther Bubley have a unique style of capturing a spot of light on the single figure in the frame, documenting unique signs in the cities, and symbols of segregation.  Jack Delano did many black and white portraits of people in their homes or places of recreation, and also some color landscapes including Puerto Rico. The photographs of John Vachon often focused on the repetition of shapes and lines he saw in the signs, symbols, architecture, and people of the time.

Text: A+
Layout: A+
Photography: A+
User: All Photographers and Non-photographers
(Reviewed by EP April 2010)

Fields of Vision: The Photographs of Ben Shahn
Intro by Timothy Egan

Fields of Vision: The Photographs of Russell Lee
Intro by Nicholas Lemann

This series of books, published by the Library of Congress and edited by Amy Pastan, include collections of photographs by the featured photographers who worked for The Farm Security Administration (FSA) from 1935 to 1944. The depression-era photographs capture the life of Americans in their most candid moments: picking cotton, walking the streets of their town, posing with their children in their dust-worn work clothes. These images were used by the media to describe the harsh realities of the American people at the time, but are now being considered for their high quality bringing them to the level of fine art. Each book includes 50 images and a biographical introduction by a renowned writer.

Text: A+
Layout: A+
Photography: A+
User: All Photographers and Non-Photographers
(Reviewed by EP Sept. 2008)

Here is a great new book that shows and tells how you can make super flower images in a fine art style. Every image in the book tells you more than just what equipment was used, but how and why it was used, plus what to look for and how to handle the conditions found at a flower’s location.  You will see flowers in a whole new way. This 8.5x8.5 inch soft cover book has 108 pages and retails for just US$19.95   Published by StackPole Books, it can be ordered from  www.stackpolebooks.com      
I rate it:  A+  (Reviewed July 2005)

This is a simple, little picture book with many outstanding images of the natural world. It is a nice change from all of the “how-to everything” books that are being published as this one is more of a “How-I-did-it” book. It has one photo on the right page, and on the left page the camera tech info, and a nice paragraph of the location and shooting conditions of that shot. Even with this smaller than usual amount of information, you will still learn a lot that you can use in the field for your own work. This 8.5x8.5 inch soft cover book has 108 pages and retails for US$19.95. Published by Stackpole Books, it can be ordered at   www.stackpolebooks.com         
I Rate it:  A+  (Reviewed March 2005)

 

Fine Art Printing for Photographers: Exhibition Quality Prints with Inkjet Printers, 2^nd Ed.
By Uwe Steinmueller and Juergen Gulbins

Photographer Steinmueller, along with author Gulbins use their extensive experience and knowledge to explain the technology of digital printing so a photographer can make creative yet efficient and quality decisions. This book is full of information on the topics of printing supplies and equipment, workflow, and color management. The pages include many diagrams and illustrations to help explain the mechanics and technology within this subject. When the book covers topics involving the use of computer programs, the authors include both descriptive text and images of the screen options and the sequential results to the photograph.

Text: A+
Layout: A+
Photography: A
User: Intermediate to Advanced
(Reviewed June 2008 by EP)

Fine Art Wedding Photography: How to Capture Images with Style for the Modern Bride
by Jose Villa & Jeff Kent

Looking through this book is like looking through one of those wedding magazines: the pictures are so beautiful that you look through just to see the magic of weddings that is captured and the beauty of art of photography. The photographers chose an excellent variety of images to illustrate the modern style of wedding photography. The images each have a short caption to explain the technicalities and individual situations. The pages are also full of narrative text so the reader can learn directly from the source. The book does not have how-to information about lighting, equipment, and exposure; the focus is about setting the scene, don’t forget the groom, and marketing. One the best, and most brave, aspects of the book are these small text boxes scattered throughout the book called “Lesson Learned.” The photographer use this space to explain mistakes they’ve made. I believe we learn best by not only knowing what to do, but also what not to do. It’s also about putting value in your less proud moments and encouraging photographers to come out of a not so ideal situation or choice with a better understanding of what to do in the future. This book would also help the bride and groom who want to have a bigger part in their photography.

Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Amphoto Books (March 29, 2011)Language: English
ISBN-10: 0817400028
ISBN-13: 978-0817400026
Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.4 x 0.6 inches

Text: A+
Layout: A+
Photography: A++
User: All Photographers or Non-Photographers
(Review by Elizabeth Powis June 2011)

 

Flower Portraits is one of those special books that are always assigned to their own place on the shelf. Tenneson is world famous for her portraits and nude images, but this new book on the life of flowers shows just how well she can master just about any subject before her. Making a flower look good in a picture is something that many photographers can do, but to also be able to create art pieces even with weeds is a whole other story. The only way I can think of to describe this book is to say that it is a fine art portfolio between book covers.

This hardback book is about 10x12 inch, with 151 pages and retails for only US$50.00. Distributed by BULFINCH Press at  www.bulfinchpress.com      
I Rate it: A+ (Reviewed Nov. 2005)

Flying Flowers will fascinate your whole family. This hardback picture book is a collection of beautiful close-up butterfly portraits. “The rainbows of the bug world.” Each image is identified with the species name and the global range where they are found. (Just in case you’d like to go to somewhere like Malaysia to shoot the Atlas Moth.) There is some information printed in the back, but mostly of this book is full of great images to look at on a cold winter night.  This large 9.5x14 inch, 100 page book retails for just US$40 and is published by Welcome Books and can be ordered at  www.welcomebooks.com       
I Rate it:  A+  (Reviewed Jan. 2005)

This is the fourth edition of an amazing encyclopedia, the first one being published in 1956. The previous edition was published in 1993, and a lot has changed in the world of photography. There is literally everything on the topic of photography included in this book.  It has diagrams and charts explaining the technicalities of the subjects and thoughtful essays discussing the theory of a variety of topics.  Instead of being an alphabetical list of photography subtopics, there are ten main sections in the book: Timelines, History and the Evolution of Photography, Major Themes and Photographers of the 20^th Century, Photographic Companies and Applications, Digital Photography, Contemporary Issues, Scientific Photography Expanded Vision, Human Vision, and 20^th Century Materials and Process Essentials. 

What was really eye-catching for me was the specific articles and inclusive topics included in this book. The history section includes an entire chapter on the evolution of the lens. Going beyond the factual information that many books are limited by, there are many articles commentating on the purpose, history, and application of photography. For example, there is a chapter titled African Americans as Photographers and Photographic Subjects. This hard-bound book by Focal Press also includes a CD-Rom of the entire text with a searching tool to find exactly what you’re researching. I highly recommend this book for any serious photography library.

This 880 page hardcover book is 11 x 8.8 x 2 inches. It is published by Focal Press, an imprint of Elsevier, at www.focalpress.com, and retails for $99.95        
I rate it: A++++ (EP)
(Reviewed June 2007)

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Focus on Composing Photos
by Peter Ensenberger

This author recognizes that photography is an art form and therefore each photographer creates unique and personal images. He also realizes that there are fundamental guidelines that can help every photographer improve how well their images communicate those experiences and emotions. The book covers the basics of composition (focal point, light, color, perspective, leading lines, etc.) without restricting creativity. A resource for photographers who want to improve their photographic compositions, no matter their subject or style interest.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Powis (EAP) August 2011

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Focus on Photographing People
by Haje Jan Kamps

Photographing people has got to be one of the most common and desirable goals of many amateurs, but portraiture is also one of the most difficult challenges for all levels of photographers. Just like any medium in art, creating an image of ourselves that communicates what we see easily with our own eyes (beauty, happiness, concentration, fear, anticipation, etc.)  is something that rarely comes naturally in photographs. It takes practice and sometimes guidance from those who have figured it out. The expert who wrote this book guides the reader through helpful and unnecessary equipment, the importance of eyes, and the value of the background. An excellent resource for those who want some easy-to-understand tips on how to improve their portrait photography.

Text: A
Layout: A
Photography: A
User: Beginners to Intermediate

Reviewed by Elizabeth Powis (EAP) August 2011

 

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Focus on Photoshop Elements
by David Asch

Digital cameras have now become widely available to a variety of photographers, from professionals to amateurs and parents to students. This new technology creates a freedom for all photographers to shoot at a rate that would never have happened when the cost of film and developing was an issue. These varied levels of photographers consequently have hundreds of images to sort, choose, and perfect. Photoshop Elements is Adobe’s more affordable and simplified image editing program as opposed to the original Photoshop. Although Elements is more accessible to the amateur photographer, it can still be overwhelming in its complexity and ability. This book acts as a guide for users to navigate through this program by highlighting the most significant and helpful aspects. A great resource for those photographers just learning to understand how Photoshop Elements works is a tool they cannot live without.

Reviewed by Elizabeth Powis (EAP) August 2011

Here are two fun little coffee
table books that will intrigue
you and will spark your own
imagination.  After browsing
the pages, they will then
inspire you to look more
closely or to “see” what may
be hidden within a photo subject.  
 

Focus: Passages
Your World, Your Images

Focus: Passages pages consist of 124 photographer’s renditions of beautifully illustrated doors, passages, gateways, paths or interpreted pathways from 30 different countries around the world.  The photos include the photographers name, the city and country in which the photo was taken, and with some, a short description about the passage.  The capturing of both man-made and nature-made passages will captivate you.  They will ignite your imagination, taking you through the passage to what may lie beyond.  What seems like an ordinary subject becomes extraordinary.

·  Hardcover: 180 pages (7.2 x 7.3 x 0.7 in.)
·  Publisher: Lark Crafts (October 5, 2010)
·  Language: English
·  ISBN-10: 9781600596803
·  ISBN-13: 978-1933771915

Text: A+
Layout: A+
Photography: A+
User: All Photographers and Non-photographers

Focus: Found Faces
Your World, Your Images
by Lark Crafts

Focus: Found Faces pages consist of 90 photographer’s sightings of faces that can be found anywhere, anytime, in any place, and on anything.  They hail from 26 countries around the world.  The faces are a delight to behold—found in and on anything from eggs, to rocks, to trees, to bridges and doors….  All you have to do is look.  And after perusing the pages of photographs, look you will—can I find faces in unexpected places?  This little book is a delight and once again, it will ignite your imagination and really make you look at what you once thought was the ordinary.

These books will be enjoyed by the young and the old and everyone in between—photographer or not.

·  Hardcover: 180 pages (7.2 x 7.1 x 0.8 in.)
·  Publisher: Lark Books (March 1, 2011) 
·  Language: English
·  ISBN-10: 9781600597923
·  ISBN-13: 978-1600597923

Text: A+
Layout: A+
Photography: A+
User: All Photographers and Non-photographers
(Reviewed April 2011 by MM)

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Focal Press continues its series of small photography handbooks with these three new additions. The purpose of this series is to have a quick reference on a more specific subject. So many how-to photography books out there try to cover it all, which is good for the photographer who has the interest, time, and need for that kind of thorough resource. But for the photographer who wants fast information on a definitive topic, this series offers a tool. 

Focus on Adobe Photoshop covers the topics of Bridge, Camera Raw, metadata and keywords, adjustments, retouching, and "Sharing Your Images", making it a great tool for the photographer who knows their camera, but needs help optimizing their understanding of the tools offered in this unlimited image editing resource: the basics are covered.

A new book just out by the late Galen Rowell is Fog City, Impressions of the San Francisco Bay Area in Fog. Most people have seen this city from the countless TV programs shot there, but only those who have spent time there have seen what it looks like when the almost “daily” fog bank rolls in. Fog City is a photo story of what that looks like in the city and surrounding areas, and done by one of the best there was. This is a nice 8x10 inch soft cover book with 110 pages, and top quality printed images of the most famous fog in the world, and it retails for just US$19.95. 
Published by Sasquatch Books, at: http://www.sasquatchbooks.com         
I Rate it:  A+  (Reviewed Feb. 2005)


 

This is another great book for all of those who are starting to learn the tools and techniques of photography. It is written in a clear, and well-illustrated set of exercises, that will help you build all of your photo skills, and make quality images. Both teachers and students will love all of the information they will find in this book, and will use it as a constant reference source.

This soft cover book is about 8x10 inches, with 230 pages, retails for US$26.95 – and is distributed by Focal Press at   www.focalpress.com       
I Rate it:  A  (Reviewed Jan. 2006)

 

This is a 1.5 inch thick, 300 page, hard-bound book featuring color and black & white images. The creators have organized a book featuring 30 years of skateboarding photographs by Spike Jonze, Giovanni Reda, Tobin Yelland, Thomas Campbell, Larry Clark, Ed Templeton, Atiba Jefferson, Angela Boatwright, Sammy Glucksman, Allen Ying, and more. Some of the skateboarders that are featured are Steve Olson, Eric Koston, Keith Hufnagel, Harold Hunter, Jerry Hsu, Mike Vallely, Mark Gonzales, Rick Howard, and Jason Dill. The book’s layout creates a complete devotion to the images themselves: images go to the edges of the pages, no blank pages, and no text except the last few pages giving credit to the photographers. An excellent addition to the coffee table owned by skateboard enthusiast or those who love the urban, street cultural of the skateboard generation.

Text: N/A
Layout: A
Photography: A
User: All Photographers and non-Photographers
(Reviewed by EP Nov. 2010)

This soft cover book is about 9x11 inches, with 160 pages, retails for US$49.95 – and is distributed by Merrell Publishers at www.merrellpublishers.com
I Rate it: A  (Reviewed June 2006)